The NHL is back in Winnipeg!! Woo hoooo!!
First off, I should explain that I am Canadian, and up North, we tend to be a little Hockey Nuts. It is a part of our blood, our culture. Second, we WERE home to the Winnipeg Jets, but back in 1996, the team was moved to Phoenix. Seriously, I am sure a day does not go by without someone in the city crying in their beer about that. We have been trying for years to get a team back; yesterday it was announced that the Atlanta Thrashers will be relocating to our fine city. I hope they are paying those boys enough to buy some parkas ;) And some earplugs, because their new adoring fans are gonna raise the roof!
There has been speculation about the move for weeks, and the city has been whipped into a frenzy. Much of the city was shut down once the announcement was made yesterday morning. Portage and Main, our main downtown intersection, was immediately bombarded with happy, happy (drunk) fans. The big party then moved to The Forks. I pulled my 7 year old son out of school for the occasion to take in the festivities. Yessir, I did! Though I had him prepare a presentation on this "historical event" for class today :-)
I wasn't the only one, apparently. Here he is with a buddy and hockey teammate. These are the faces they made when asked, "Shouldn't you be in school???"
Here with Thomas Steen, former captain of the Winnipeg Jets.
A big old street hockey game broke out, for big kids and little kids!
Plenty of crazy fans (including "Auntie" and "Unkie"):
Dignitaries came and said their speeches, but basically they would get two words in and then the chanting would start.....Go Jets Go!
A very exciting day for our city, much pride and anticipation of the upcoming hockey season. And, a wonderful day of bonding for me and my son :-)
But, the very same evening......
The Bad News:
Massive flooding to Twin Lake Beaches, where we have our cottage.
Winds of 100km/hr created 8 foot waves on Lake Manitoba, which was used by the government as a dumping ground to divert flood waters from the Assiniboine River in Western Manitoba. Water levels in this large lake, which measures 125 miles long by 28 miles wide, are already at record levels and are not expected to crest for several weeks to come. Add wind to this, and it was pure disaster. In the course of an hour, a partial evacuation notice evolved into full immediate evacuation and then a helicopter rescue mission. Waters rose quickly, swamping roads and destroying cottages and homes, as well as the sandbag dikes meant to protect them. People had minutes to grab what they could and flee.
The press videos are devastating. We are not allowed to go and see our cottage for ourselves as the area is still restricted. We are hoping we have something left to salvage, though we fear that even if our cottage survived this storm intact, it may not the next as the waters continue to rise.
So, tonight I sit, and drink a beer.....
UPDATE: Some pictures taken after the waters receded. More pictures of the destruction here.
Awesome news about the return of hockey to the 'Peg! I do hope they allow the team to be called the Jets again, and not some silly name like the Polar Bears (Gary Bettman's suggestion - duh). One of our good friends was in dentist school there 20 years ago and is ecstatic that he'll be able to pull out his jerseys again, regardless of the name I guess ;)
ReplyDeleteAwful news about the flooding. There's been some crazy stuff happening this year. We could use some of your rain here in Alberta with all the wildfires. Poor Slave Lake - 1/3 of the town destroyed!
Sounds like fun! And I hope everything works out for your cottage :(
ReplyDeleteGo Jets Go! So happy for Winnipeg. But the lake and the flooding - oh, Kristy, I am sending so many good vibes to you. :(
ReplyDeleteHope your beautiful cottage weathers the storm. From your pictures it seems like such a beautiful spot I'd be happy to pitch a tent there.
ReplyDeleteA bittersweet day for sure. Hopefully your cabin makes it through in one piece.
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show how regional news is as we have heard nothing about the flooding. Hope your cottage is OK.
ReplyDeleteas a fellow Canadian, i can feel your joy!!
ReplyDeletei sure hope your cottage survives the flooding and winds :(
I don't know anything about hockey - football is the national game over here (and what I know about that could be written on the back of a postage stamp!) but teams are part of the city and always will be. Why do hockey teams move city? Are they bought and sold?
ReplyDeleteI do hope your cottage fares well in the floods.
So scary! I'm glad you had a bit of fun news to temper the bad!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry about your cottage! : (
ReplyDeleteso sorry about not even being able to check on your house. i will be praying for you and for the other people who own property nearby!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your cottage. Suppose it's a blessing that it's not your full time home. But I'm sure you know of someone who did. I'll keep you and many others in our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteGO JETS GO!! I am not even really a hockey fan, but cant help but be excited about Winnipeg getting their team back! Great news.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the cabin. Hope it is salvageable.
Does insurance cover flooding? hope so. good luck
Oh, no. :( I'm so sorry. I'm glad this isn't your primary home, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry to hear about the flooding. How awful to be in limbo and not know how bad things are with your cabin.
ReplyDeleteOver here on the other side of the world hockey is not a big deal (I know- it's like we're from another planet eh ?)but because it's obviously a source of huge joy to you I'll jump up and down in excitement. Go Jets!
You look exactly like I imagined!
So sorry to hear about the area you have your cottage in. I am crossing my fingers and praying that you will have something to salvage once you are able to go out there.
ReplyDeleteAwful storm. I hope that your cottage survived without too much damage. Hugs.
ReplyDelete